Prajuab “Theresa” McBride

Born on August 9, 1930 in Uttradit, Thailand
Departed on June 8, 2025, in Melbourne, Florida

August 9, 1930 – June 8, 2025

Prajuab “Theresa” McBride of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully June 8th, 2025 at the age of 94. She was born Prajuab Kochathit in Uttradit, Thailand and lived a life full of quiet strength, deep love, and incredible resilience.

Prajuab met her future husband, Richard “Curly” McBride, while he was living and working in Thailand and he became her life partner in everything. Growing up Buddhist, she learned about Jesus and the Catholic faith from him and became Catholic herself taking the baptismal name “Theresa”, which she used as another name the rest of her life.

In 1967, she left everything she knew behind in Thailand and moved to the United States. She didn’t speak English, didn’t understand the culture, and had no idea what to expect—but she was determined to make a life for her family. She learned the language, met a dear friend who helped her adjust, taught her to cook, and somehow managed to hold the family together.

She was the mother of Tui, Joy, Patrick, and Brett. She carried the heartbreak of losing two of her children—Brett at just six months old, and Patrick at sixteen—but never let grief harden her. Her faith was strong, and she stayed strong, loving, and gentle. She found comfort in her family, friends, and church, and loved hosting parish priests for holiday dinners, and always made sure their favorite cakes were on the table. She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Orlando for over 40 years. She was dedicated to daily mass, various devotions, and volunteered by serving as a Eucharistic Minister, sacristan, washing and ironing church linens, making rosaries for others to spread the faith, and volunteering with Curly at various church festivals and other events.

“Aunt Prajuab” was the last of her generation in the McBride family – the 7 children and in-laws of Harry and Elizabeth McBride. She was a fixture at family celebrations and reunions, and learned some of her sense of humor from that great Irish-American family.

Prajuab was preceded in death by two sons and Richard in 2013. She is survived by her son Tui (Connie Ricotta) Chumlongluk, daughter Joy (Andy) Lee, grandchildren Jason (Katie) Lee, Michael Lee, and Elle Chumlonguk, and great-grandson Christopher Lee. She was extremely proud of all of her grandchildren, and baby Christopher brought so much happiness in her final months. Curly and Prajuab had an infectious love for others outside of their own family. She is also survived by “adopted” daughter Kim (Scott) MacGregor, and many other adopted children who came to know her as “Mom”, “Mama”, or “Grandma”. She was loved by all and showed that love in return.

She saw so much in her 94 years—change, loss, new beginnings, and love—and through it all, she remained gracious, kind, and humble – with a sense of humor to boot! We’ll miss her laugh, her quiet wisdom, and the way she always made everyone feel welcome in her presence. Her legacy is something that her family will carry with them every day.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 19th, 2025 at 10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 5900 Oleander Drive, Orlando, FL 32807. Interment will immediately follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes gifts in memory of Prajuab to Good Shepherd Catholic Church (https://gs.church).